Women rock WI

North Sound, November 4 

Punam Raut starred with the bat before the spinners put up a fine performance to set up India’s comfortable 53-run win over West Indies in the second ICC Women’s Championship ODI here.

The spin troika of left-arm orthodox Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/27), leg-break specialist Poonam Yadav (2/26) and off-spinner Deepti Sharma (2/25) helped India defend a modest 191. India bowled out West Indies for 138 in 47.2 overs to level the three-match series 1-1 here on Sunday. 

Opting to bat, India began on a shaky note with openers Priya Punia (5) and Jemimah Rodrigues (0) departing cheaply, leaving the side reeling at 17/2 in nine overs.

However, Punam (77) joined hands with skipper Mithali Raj (40) and then vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur (46) to take India to 191.

Punam and Mithali shared a 66-run stand before Sheneta Grimmond dismissed the latter in the 29th over. Punam and Harmanpreet then kept the scoreboard moving with a 93-run partnership before the Indian vice-captain was bowled by Aaliyah Alleyne in the 48th over.

For West Indies, Alleyne (2/38) and Afy Fletcher (2/32) picked two wickets each, while Shabika Gajnabi (1/23) and Grimmond (1/22) scalped one apiece.

West Indies got off to a bad start, losing opener Stacy-Ann King (6) in the fourth over. The home side was struck with a major blow in the 25th over when opener Natasha McLean (15) retired hurt. The Indian bowlers kept striking at regular intervals to deny West Indies a big partnership. 

The two teams will face off again in the third ODI on Wednesday.

Brief scores: India: 191/6 (Punam Raut 77, Harmanpreet Kaur 46; Afy Fletcher 2/32); West Indies: 138 all out in 47.2 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 39; Deepti Sharma 2/25) — PTI